Script Analysis 1

Display Schedule

Subject guarantor:

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s):

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Students should become familiar with structure, narrative and story element, such as character, theme, setup, main tension, central dramatic question, antagonist, conflict, the three act structure and its development as well as its functional deviations; techniques and specific issues of film writing and narration, difference between dramatic and literary storytelling etc. Dialogue, the dramatic use of props and costumes, staging and the creation of atmosphere as employed in the screenplay as well as realization are also covered.

Students will be expected to recognize these dramatic and narrative elements and to present a cogent analysis for a final paper.

Mode of study:

Screening + lecture and discussion. Each film is screened in full length, accompanied by close analysis by the lecturer, while students are also encouraged to provide their input.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

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Course contents:

The purpose of this course is to study films from a dramaturgical perspective, to demonstrate diverse narrative techniques, dramatic structures and genre forms, and to closely examine the craft of screenwriting, with special attention given to characters’ dynamics and development.

The course is open to all FAMU students including visiting programs.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE WATCHED THE FILMS BEFORE THEY ARE SCREENED IN CLASS.

Course outline/calendar

1. Class Feb 15 and Feb 22: Taxi Driver (USA, 1976, dir. Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader)

2. Class Mar 1 and Mar 8: The Graduate (USA, 1967, dir. Mike Nichols, written by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, based on the eponymous book by Charles Webb)

3. Class Mar 15 and Mar 22: The Full Monty (UK, 1997, dir. Peter Cattaneo, written by Simon Beaufoy)

4. Class Mar 29 and Apr 5: The Crying Game (Ireland, UK, Japan, 1992, written and directed by Neil Jordan)

5. Class Apr 12 and Apr 19: The Hunt (Jagten, Denmark, 2012, dir. Thomas Vinteberg, written by Tobias Lindholm and Thomas Vinterberg)

6. Class Apr 26 and May 3: A Separation (Jodaí-e Nadér az Simín, Iran, 2011, written and directed by Asghar Farhadi)

7. Class May 10 and May 17: The Americans (pilot episode) (2013, dir. Gavin O’Connor, written by Joe Wesiberg)

Recommended or required reading:

General reading:

Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Gerald Else. University of Michigan Press, 1967.

Aronson, Linda: The 21st Century Screenplay: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Tomorrow's Films. Silman-James Press, 2011.

Bordwell, David. Narration in Fiction Film. University of Wisconsin Press, 1985.

Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Dell Publishing, 1994.

Thompson, Kristin. Storytelling in the New Hollywood: Understanding Classical Narrative Technique. Harvard University Press, 1999.

In addition, SCREENPLAYS (if available) for the films screened in classes will be provided to students in .pdf and it is strongly recommended that they familiarize themselves with the scripts before the corresponding class.

Assessment methods and criteria:

•Attendance 50%

•Active participation in class 10%

•Final Paper 40%

For the paper, the student selects one of the films screened during the semester and chooses a scene or sequence that he or she analyses in detail with particular focus on its role in the overall structure of the film (narrative as well as in terms of character development). 2 pages in length, to be delivered to the lecturer on the date of the final class via email in .pdf .

Course web page:

Note:

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Further information:

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2017/2018:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu	room 107 Room No. 1 (Lažanský palác) ROBBIANO G. 14:00–15:35 (přednášková par. 1)
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Thu	14:00–15:35	Giovanni Battista ROBBIANO	Room No. 1 Lažanský palác		přednášková par. 1

Schedule for summer semester 2017/2018:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu	room 107 Room No. 1 (Lažanský palác) KAJÁNKOVÁ L. 14:00–15:35 (přednášková par. 1)
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Thu	14:00–15:35	Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ	Room No. 1 Lažanský palác		přednášková par. 1

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Cinema and Digital Media - Directing-1718 (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting-1718 (qualification subject, optional subject)